Hackers close website of TV channel

Computer hackers claiming to be Shiite shut down the website of Saudi-owned satellite channel Al-Arabiya on Friday, a month after Iran reported similar attacks on many of its websites by hardline Sunnis.

The website of the Dubai-based channel was taken over by the hackers who displayed a message which warned that "if attacks on Shiite websites continue, none of your websites will be safe".

The page also displayed a picture of an Israeli flag on fire.

Al-Arabiya issued a statement saying that its website had "come under organised cyber piracy performed by extremists".

The statement said that Al-Arabiya will continue to adhere to its policy of being "moderate, balanced and objective".